As National Poetry Day approaches, Discovery Education is launching a new range of digital teaching resources aimed at sparking a love of poetry in UK primary schoolchildren. The global edtech leader has unveiled a collection of lessons and activities designed to engage young learners with poetry, helping teachers bring the magic of verse into their classrooms.
The resources, available via Discovery Education’s award-winning digital learning service Espresso, are closely aligned with the National Curriculum for English. With contributions from renowned poets like Joseph Coelho and Benjamin Zephaniah, the collection aims to introduce pupils to a broad spectrum of poetic forms and traditions.
National Poetry Day, celebrated on 3rd October, is an annual event that encourages people across the UK to read, write, and share poetry. The event promotes the power of poetry to connect individuals, offering a platform for self-expression and reflection. Discovery Education’s new materials build on this ethos, featuring traditional rhymes, free verse, Haiku, and dub poetry, providing students with varied and creative ways to explore the art form.
Lizzy Lambley, UK Head of Production at Discovery Education, spoke about the value of poetry in education: “Poetry has an incredible ability to support children’s learning. Not only does it improve literacy skills, but it also encourages emotional development and cultural awareness. We’re delighted to offer these resources to help teachers inspire the next generation of poets. We hope that children across the country will experience the joy and power of poetry, helping them make sense of the world in a new way.”
The new poetry resources include a wide variety of activities, ensuring that teachers can engage students of all ages and abilities. These materials feature:
- Poetry Videos: Bringing the words of celebrated poets to life in dynamic, visual formats to captivate students.
- Short Poems: Read-aloud poems, coupled with classroom discussion prompts, encourage active participation and creative thinking.
- Poetry Activities: Engaging tasks that introduce students to different poetic styles and structures, expanding their understanding of verse.
- Mini Poetry Lessons: Differentiated by Key Stage, these lessons are tailored to meet the developmental needs of young learners.
- Classroom Inspiration: Practical ideas for celebrating National Poetry Day, offering teachers ways to incorporate poetry into their lessons.
These resources are designed not only to mark National Poetry Day but also to support the teaching of poetry throughout the academic year. Discovery Education Espresso, the platform through which these resources are available, offers daily curriculum-aligned content, ensuring that teachers have access to engaging materials that can enhance their lessons at any time.
National Poetry Day is a significant occasion in UK schools, providing an opportunity for children to connect with the art of poetry, express themselves creatively, and explore language in new and imaginative ways. Discovery Education’s commitment to supporting educators with high-quality, accessible resources ensures that students can benefit from these enriching experiences.
For schools already subscribed to Discovery Education, the National Poetry Day resources are available via the Espresso platform. The company encourages educators across the country to take advantage of these new tools to foster a deeper appreciation of poetry in the classroom.
More information on Discovery Education’s digital learning services can be found at www.discoveryeducation.co.uk.
To learn more about National Poetry Day, visit the official website.